Training to expand the angle of vision when reading. Exercises to develop peripheral vision

Our article today will be devoted to vision and its work. We will note how the visual apparatus works, what peripheral vision is and what viewing angle is available to the human body.

One of the functions of the visual apparatus is peripheral vision. They are responsible for him peripheral parts The main indicator of its productivity is the person’s viewing angle. It includes that part of space that is covered by human vision when the gaze is fixedly fixed on an object. Main function peripheral vision orientation in space is considered.

The visual field indicator has specific values determined by the border of the retina. The eye reacts to White color within the following boundaries: outward - 90º, upward outward - 70º, upward inward - 55º, inward - 55º, downward inward - 50º, downward - 65º, downward outward - 90º. The “loss out” of its individual sections is called scotoma. In the area of the temporal field of vision there is a physiological scotoma - the so-called “blind spot”. The presence of angioscotomas is also natural - ribbon-like “losses” in the field of view associated with the presence of massive retinal vessels covering photoreceptor cells. Their presence only slightly impairs peripheral vision and is considered normal.

Scotomas can be absolute, with complete “loss” of the area, and relative, with noticeable deterioration visual function in the survey period. In turn, these two types are divided into positive and negative scotomas. Positive ones can be detected independently: they are visible as black spots, which indicates damage to the retina. Negative scotomas cannot be detected independently and appear due to damage to the pathways. They are usually detected during examination. There are also As a rule, their appearance does not obey any system and is completely spontaneous. If the patient with eyes closed observes zigzag multi-colored lines extending beyond his peripheral vision; he experiences spasms of cerebral vessels. To stop this process and improve the situation, doctors recommend immediately starting to take antispasmodics.

Scotomas can be classified according to their location as follows:

peripheral;
paracentral;
central.

A narrowing of the field of vision on all sides to 5 - 10 degrees is a consequence of nerve damage and retinal dystrophy. This phenomenon is called concentric narrowing of the visual field. As a rule, in similar situation a person still sees and can even read, but the ability to independently navigate in space completely disappears and visual perception deteriorates significantly.

If the patient loses symmetrical areas of vision, it is worth contacting specialists for a thorough examination. Such symptoms often indicate the presence of tumors, hemorrhages and other serious illnesses. On initial stages tumors and inflammation, there may be a loss of only part of the view, i.e., approximately a quarter of the visual field disappears. With pathologies of the retina, vision may disappear in different areas. For example, with glaucoma, the field of vision on the nasal side is narrowed.

By analyzing the nature of the visual field limitation, an experienced specialist can determine the location of the lesion in various departments visual pathways, as well as the degree of degenerative damage, the stage of glaucoma and other parameters.

Lateral vision, also called peripheral vision, helps a person navigate in space. If you can well recognize objects that are away from your direct gaze, it means that the functional activity of your peripheral vision is not impaired. The peripheral part of the retina is responsible for lateral vision.

The main thing, of course, is central vision. It is with its help that we can clearly see the shape, color and brightness of objects, and also navigate in the dark. Lateral vision acuity is slightly lower compared to central vision. At the same time, developed peripheral vision is extremely important for drivers, military personnel and athletes.

Impaired lateral vision can be caused by glaucoma, increased intracranial pressure, as well as retinal damage or optic nerve. As you can see, a violation may indicate serious pathological processes visual apparatus. This is why it is so important to visit an ophthalmologist in a timely manner.

The peripheral abilities of the retina can be examined using the perimeter. It is important to understand that if lateral vision is lost, even with good central vision acuity, a person simply will not be able to move independently.

Peripheral vision recognizes dynamic objects well, as well as white or contrasting colors. The wider the angle of view, the more people will be able to read. By using special exercises You can develop and train your visual abilities.

Lateral vision is better developed in women than in men

Peripheral vision in men and women

Scientists say that men have better developed central vision, while women have better lateral vision. This is explained by the fact that the woman has always been the keeper home comfort and the hearth, so she needed to see everything around her. A broad outlook was also necessary in order to promptly detect the danger threatening her and the children.

According to statistics, a large number of car accidents occur because the driver does not notice the danger that is located on the side of the car.

Lateral vision in men is also called tunnel vision by experts. Thanks to high rates the acuity of central vision, a man is able to clearly and clearly examine the objects in front of him. And this even applies to those objects that are located at a distance. In fact, the eyes of the stronger sex are more like telescope or binoculars.

Men's vision is adapted for looking into the distance. Because of this, eye fatigue is much higher in men. In order to see an object up close, such as looking in the rearview mirror while driving a car, vision must constantly refocus.

The ability to see in the dark is another difference between women's and men's vision. A woman sees finer details better up close. Along with this, it is difficult for her to understand on which side oncoming vehicles are moving.

Impaired lateral vision

Retinal injuries, as well as brain diseases, can lead to disturbances in peripheral vision. This may affect one or both eyes.

If peripheral vision is lost, a person will see objects as if in a tunnel

Why can the field of vision narrow? Let's consider real reasons such a state:

increased intraocular pressure. As glaucoma progresses, the optic nerves are damaged and the field of vision narrows. Objects in front of a person's eyes may also blur. At the initial stages, the narrowing is insignificant. In the absence of timely treatment, it will simply be impossible to restore peripheral function;
retinal damage can occur against the background of intense physical activity, differences blood pressure, stressful situations;
cerebral circulatory disorders;
traumatic brain injuries;
neoplasms;
strokes;
dystrophic changes retina;
age-related changes.

With migraine, patients may complain that everything is swimming before their eyes, and then their head begins to hurt. It is also worth noting hallucinations in the lateral visual field. A person can see fleeting visions most often only from one side. For example, it may seem to him that a mouse ran by or someone passed. Such hallucinations indicate the presence of a mental disorder.

There are several types of lateral vision impairment:

The space covering the organ of vision decreases. As a result, only a small portion of rectilinear visual space may appear;
The structure of the eye changes so much that ineffective areas of the retina appear. As a result, patients see dark spots indicating loss of certain areas of the visual field;
partial loss of visual fields.

Glaucoma can lead to complete loss vision

Impaired visual function manifests itself in the form of decreased visual acuity and limited visual field. Repainting the pupil in a greenish or azure tint is the main external sign pathological process.

Lead to promotion intraocular pressure frequent stress, prolonged use may steroid drugs, eye injury, developmental anomalies. Glaucoma is characterized by the appearance of rainbow circles in bright light, blurred vision in the dark, headache, pain in the eyes, redness, and a feeling of heaviness.

Scotoma

Scotoma is loss of visual fields. Cataracts, stress, glaucoma, dystrophic changes in the eye - all this and much more can lead to disorders. Dark spots can be in the form of circles, ovals, arcs, wedges.

Smears in front of the eyes impair both central and peripheral vision. Some patients complain of periodic blurred vision.

Ocular migraine

Visual defects are temporary. More often provoke a violation neurological diseases. According to statistics, ocular migraine with aura appears in pregnant women and young and middle-aged people. Defects can appear as a result of lack of sleep, changes in weather conditions, mental overstrain, emotional outbursts or intense physical activity.

Ocular migraine causes visual defects

The emerging spot goes in the direction of peripheral vision. The formation can be colorless, and sometimes it can be very bright. The aura may appear as visual hallucinations. During an attack, the patient is advised to calm down, lie down and drink hot tea or coffee. A neurologist treats ocular migraines.

Diagnostic examination

You can test your peripheral vision yourself at home. To do this, focus your gaze on an object that is located directly from you. Next, without moving your gaze, try to look at objects on the right and left sides. You can also pick up white pencils and then spread your hands. With normal peripheral vision, a person must simultaneously perceive both objects.

In the ophthalmology office, peripheral vision indicators are examined using a special device. The patient places the chin on a special stand, while one eye is covered with a bandage. Open eye should focus on the white mark that is moving. The perimeter defines the space within which, with the eye position fixed, you can see every point of it.

Using the automatic perimeter, you can determine not only the width of the field of view, but also the existing defects and the sensitivity threshold of the retina. The device is able to report defects in the retina and optic nerve on early stages development.

The perimeter will help identify problems with peripheral vision

How to develop peripheral vision?

Developmental exercises help achieve the following goals:

improvement of brain activity;
a person begins to better navigate in space;
Speed reading develops.

Let's consider effective exercises that will help develop lateral vision:

Fix your gaze on the object and try to simultaneously recognize objects located on both sides.
Concentrate your gaze on an object located three meters away from you. Take a pencil in your hands and spread your hands. In this case, you should see not only the main object, but also the pencils.
Take the pencils again and spread your hands. Right hand lift up and watch the pencil in this hand with your right eye. At the same time, lower the left pencil and watch it with your left eye. Next, the pencils are brought to the center. Then move the objects diagonally and return to the starting position.
Draw letters or numbers on sheets of paper bright color large sizes. Observe the drawings while constantly increasing your viewing angle. As peripheral vision develops, smaller pictures can be used.
Concentrate on the subject, while paying attention to the subject located in the periphery. There should be more and more of these items.

So, peripheral vision is no less important than central vision. The ability to see peripheral objects allows you to navigate well in space. Impaired lateral vision may indicate the presence serious pathologies, including: glaucoma, scotoma, retinal detachment, disruption of the brain, neoplasms and more. So as not to miss dangerous diseases, it is important to contact an ophthalmologist in a timely manner and follow his recommendations.

By peripheral is meant a special category of vision, for which a certain area of the retina is responsible. It allows a person to normally see objects, people in the dark and recognize objects located on the sides of the area of direct vision. If the lateral view is normal, then the person sees well, but possible various disorders this function. Learn more about peripheral visual acuity, possible diseases that cause its decrease, ways to develop lateral vision and prevention of violations, read in this review.

Determination of peripheral vision

Peripheral viewing has low resolution and only picks up black and white tones. Moreover, women have much better developed peripheral vision than men.

Peripheral vision is lateral perception, which becomes possible due to the work of certain parts of the retina. It helps to coordinate normally in space and see in dark time days. Peripheral vision is also called lateral vision, since it is responsible for the perception of objects located on the sides of the area of direct vision.

Let's consider all the features of peripheral vision:

Its sharpness is much lower than its sharpness central vision.
The quality of lateral vision in adulthood often differs from the quality of vision given at birth.
Peripheral vision can be trained.
Side visibility is especially important for representatives of certain professions.

In addition, the presence of problems with peripheral vision is typical for a number of pathologies, so you need to undergo timely examinations with a doctor and diagnose existing diseases. The earlier the pathology is detected, the higher the chances of its successful treatment.

If normal peripheral vision is impaired, even with normal central visual acuity the patient will not be able to move in space without problems.

During the series scientific research It has been proven that women have better developed lateral vision, and men have better central vision. Scientists associate this feature with the occupation of ancient people - before, men hunted and had to be able to clearly concentrate on a specific goal, and ladies watched over caves and other dwellings, where snakes, insects, animals easily penetrated, and an immediate response to any changes was the price of life their tribe. That is, in the case of peripheral vision, the effect of genetic memory worked.

Disorders and diseases

The main task of peripheral vision is normal orientation in space. With retinal injuries, brain diseases, and other factors, peripheral vision is greatly affected. Only one eye or both may be affected at the same time.

Peripheral vision may be impaired in one eye or both.

Most often, problems with lateral vision arise against the background of various ophthalmological diseases. Among them:

, accompanied by an increase in intraocular pressure and causing damage to the optic nerves. First, minor loss is noted in the periphery, then (in the absence of treatment) the field of view narrows, and irreversibly. In advanced stages, lateral vision atrophies completely.

Mechanical damage to the retina- arise as a result sharp changes pressure, stress, heavy loads, certain diseases, head injuries. lead to damage to the optic nerve, which already has a corresponding effect on the viewing angle.

Peripheral vision often suffers after strokes. More often this problem occurs in people aged 60 years and older.

Diagnostics

To determine changes in peripheral vision, special optical instruments are used, and the procedure itself is called perimetry. There are also. The person is asked to sit on a chair at a distance of about a meter from the doctor. Alternately, the ophthalmologist asks the patient to close his eyes and look at an object being moved in front of him. The doctor can also use a perimeter - a device with a small pendulum in the center. Lateral viewing in this case is diagnosed by pendulums (they light up) located in different parts of the field of view. After processing the results of a computer check, taking into account the number of dots and their brightness, the doctor makes a diagnosis and gives recommendations regarding how to work with existing disorders.

Carrying out perimetry

Side view training

Peripheral (side) vision can be developed by performing special exercises.

Lateral vision training is beneficial for the brain and allows you to maintain its function for a long time. They are especially indicated for motorists, professional athletes, military personnel, teachers, educators, police officers, and people training speed reading skills. The exercises are simple and do not require much time to complete, but they need to be done regularly:

Also, when walking on the street, pay attention to imperfections in the ground, directing your gaze forward. Performing such exercises is not at all difficult, and they have enormous benefits for vision.

Prevention

Basic measures to prevent problems with lateral vision:

Regular examinations with an ophthalmologist and timely treatment chronic diseases.
Taking measures when diagnosing dystrophy.
Preventing head injuries and...
Healthy image life (especially over the age of 60).
Performing special gymnastics

Eyes, like any organ human body, require constant attention and careful care. Monitor their condition, prevent injury, infection, promptly treat existing diseases - and many problems will be avoided.

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conclusions

Peripheral vision is responsible for the normal visibility of objects located on the sides. If it is disrupted, the quality of life suffers greatly - to the point that a person cannot move normally in space. The main reasons for the development of pathology are accompanying illnesses, injuries, stroke, age over 60 years. Side view can and should be trained - for this purpose, tasks related to fixing the gaze on a selected object in front of oneself and recognizing objects located on the periphery are regularly performed.

If you've walked down city streets, you've almost certainly experienced the "step change" that your body seems to do almost automatically when you approach a curb.

The author of a new book on vision training describes an exercise based on the Feldenkrais method that can not only expand the range of your peripheral vision, but strangely also expand your other senses.

The body moves in response to visual cues

Consider the way we test the use of the eyes by "reading the test chart": If you can read the table (that is, from a certain distance you can recognize the familiar outlines of letters on the lines), then your eyes are fine.

If not, see your doctor for glasses. Of course, an orthodox ophthalmologist will do a more comprehensive examination, but for the most part they will test your reading ability.

The eyes are probably the most important and yet least understood of human sensory organs.

Is it all about vision?

New facts have now been found that reading (that is, recognizing previously remembered images) is only a small part of what the eyes do, and, from the point of view good use body and mind, it is less important than other eye functions.

What else do the eyes do?

For many of our actions, the eyes are the initiator of movement. While catching or hitting a ball, walking through a room full of furniture, operating a car or airplane, skiing, or practicing martial arts, the body moves in response to visual cues.

In fact, this function is so important and I believe that facilitating body movement is the primary function of the visual system. There is significant evidence that reading and these other uses of the eyes are organized by different subsystems within the visual system. In rare cases of damage, it is possible for one subsystem to operate even if another subsystem is destroyed.

Dr. Karl Pribram Karl Pribram, a neuropsychologist at Stanford University, describes cases of what he calls "specific blindness," in which a person with damage to the central nervous system, cannot "see" an object (that is, cannot name it), but can point to it.

He called this instrumental awareness, as opposed to the kind of verbal awareness that allows us to read.

Let's consider two interesting uses eyes that most of us have experienced but few are aware of:

If you've walked down city streets, you've almost certainly experienced the "step change" that your body seems to do almost automatically when you approach a curb. Somehow, 10 steps from the curb, the eyes judge whether the feet can be positioned correctly to step onto the curb, and if not, the feet take a quick half step to achieve the correct placement.

We all do this without thinking, but if you notice Special attention, you may notice yourself doing this. Also, if you've ever ridden a horse on uneven ground, you should have felt the horse make that "change of stride" as it approached the obstacle.

As another example, think about walking through a room full of furniture. As soon as we glance, our eyes notice the location of the furniture, and then we walk without bumping into anything.This use of the eyes is very different from what we do when reading.

This other use of the eyes is very important for the well-being of a person and the good use of the body and mind in general, but is practically not recognized in our society.

Reading is considered so important - and it is true that written information is the basis of our culture - that the auxiliary use of the eyes is actually ignored.

If our vision is not very good (that is, we cannot read the test card), we wear glasses to be able to read better, but this seriously impairs our utility vision.

As we will see later, learning to read without knowledge of this dual function of the eyes can lead to the switching off of this dual function of peripheral vision and a subsequent decrease in the ability to move in response to visual cues.

Much of our ability to move, plus our ability to respond to other sensory inputs, suffers as a result.

If we have trouble hitting a tennis ball or keep bumping into furniture, what should we do?

The glasses that allow us to read actually make objects appear closer than they are and interfere with utility vision, althoughThe enormous human ability to learn and adapt allows us to cope with this more or less well.

Here's a simple, yet surprisingly effective exercise, based on the Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lessons and the Bates Method eye exercises, to help improve your auxiliary use of the eyes.

First, remove your glasses or contact lenses.

Next, determine your dominant eye. Hold right thumb at arm's length and look through it at an object at least 3 meters away from you. Then close and open one eye, then the other. When you open and close your dominant eye: the thumb appears to jump to one side, outward from the line toward the target object. When you open and close your other eye, your thumb appears to be standing still.

Most right-handers also have a right eye dominant, meaning it is used for aiming a rifle or for telescopes. Also, most left-handers have a dominant left eye. If your dominant hand and eye are on opposite sides of your body, you are called cross-dominant.

To begin the exercise, lie on your back with your knees bent and both feet flat on the floor if comfortable. Close your eyes and shield each of them from the light with the palm of your corresponding hand. Experiment with the position of your brushes. If you place your little fingers to your nose, and the first knuckle of that finger (where the finger meets the palm) rests on the bridge of your nose, and allow the tips of your fingers to cross slightly on your forehead, you will find that the hands are arranged on the face as if these parts of the body were specially designed for this.

Take a few minutes to notice what you see with each eye—or rather, what you don’t see because there is no light coming into your eyes. In particular, compare the left and right fields of view. Do they extend out to the sides at an equal distance? What about up and down? Are both fields of vision equally black?

Now stand, looking at a wall three meters away from you, and close your non-dominant eye (you can cover it with a blindfold). Begin to turn your entire body left and right in a slight twisting motion. As you turn, imagine that there is something on the left that you want to see, then on the right, then on the left, etc. Turn your eyes to the side and allow your body to follow your eyes, so that your eyes lead all the movement. Continue and, paying attention to your field of vision, scan your body. Start with your feet, noticing how the pressure shifts left and right as you turn; then mark the ankles, calves, knees, hips, spine, chest, shoulders, head and eyes. Does moving your attention change the movement? 3-4 minutes for this scan.

Now place all your weight on your right foot and continue to turn left and right, allowing your eyes to lead the movement. Scan your body again, from your feet to your head, noticing what you see. After a few minutes, shift your weight to left leg and repeat the whole process.

Continue turning left and right, now shifting your weight to your left foot when turning left, and to your right foot when turning right. Then, after a few minutes, reverse the weight shift so that the weight goes to the right foot when turning left, and to the left foot when turning right. Remember to notice what you see as you turn and let your eyes lead the movement. Stop and rest for a minute.

Now find an object directly in front of you at eye level, 3 meters away. A colored button would be perfect. Continue turning left and right as before, but now fix your eye on the object so that it remains motionless. This requirement will limit the ability of the head and body to turn.

Notice how the eye remains in place and the head turns around it - exactly the opposite of the way the head and eyes normally move. Continue turning left and right and, as you turn, begin to select objects from the edge, left and right, above and below, of your field of view.The eye remains fixed on the target as you do this. You should find that after a few minutes, you can see quite a few objects without detail.  Continue to turn, noting your entire field of vision and scanning your body from your feet to your head. You may find it quite difficult to pay attention to body sensations and visual images at the same time at first, but if you persevere without straining, it can become easy. What else can you see when you turn? What about your nose?

Continue this movement and shift your weight to your right foot as before for a few minutes, and then to your left foot. Then shift your weight to the right, swinging to the right, and to the left, swinging to the left. Finally, shift your weight to the right as you swing to the left, and to the left as you swing to the right, all the while keeping your eye fixed on the target and scanning your body with your attention.

Notice how this specific movement allows you to move your eye muscles and the rest of your body while maintaining a constant visual image. This allows you to test and improve your use of peripheral vision while moving. You may find that this is very different from a static test you might do where someone shakes a glowing or colored object to one side while you stand still and look straight ahead.

Now relax your eyes and swing left and right as far as possible. in a simple way, as in the beginning. Notice how the angle of rotation of the body has increased. Can you sense what has changed in your body that allows you to turn further without increasing effort? Stop and rest again.

Resume turning left and right, but now keep both your head and eye on the target. The head and eye remain motionless, and the body turns left and right under them. Again, pay attention to the entire field of view, noting objects at the edges, and slowly scan the body. After a few minutes, shift your weight to your right foot, then to your left foot, and then to the left and right in the two ways you have learned.

If you pay close attention to yourself, you will be able to discover an interesting connection between awareness in your peripheral visual field and something that is going on in your mind. What happens when you forget about your peripheral visual field, and then when you remember and pay attention to it again? Can you notice a change in your hearing as you do this?

Relax your head and eyes and allow everything to turn left and right as before. Notice how the angle of rotation has increased even more.

Lie on your back, close your eyes and cover them with your palms. Compare your left and right visual fields and notice the big difference in the covered vision of the eye you kept open versus the eye you kept closed. Which eye feels better? Open your eyes and look around. What do you see? Now stand up, close your dominant eye and do the whole exercise again from the beginning. Try to do everything so that the entire exercise takes approximately 45-60 minutes.

When you're done, stand up and look around. Pay attention not only to what you see, but also to the sensations in the eyes themselves, and to the facial muscles around the eyes. Look in the mirror. What does your face look like?

If you wear glasses or contacts, put them on and compare the sensations around your eyes. How does it feel now?

Think about how Small child learns to read.

His parents, or teachers, told him that there was something he should learn to do, and perhaps his natural curiosity was piqued.

Adults spend many hours reading books, magazines and newspapers; they come with strange stories - and spend many hours talking among themselves about what they have read. How wonderful it must be to be able to read!

With a book in hand, the child begins to try to associate unfamiliar letter images with certain sounds. It’s not so simple, and he concentrates, focusing all his attention on the letters, brushing aside all interfering peripheral visual sensations, sounds...

Concentrating like this is a very important skill, but it is possible to get stuck when all your attention is focused on one point and forget that attention can be expanded.

One of the mechanisms of narrowing attention is turning off peripheral vision, and this may be associated with turning off sounds and also sensations from the body.

So, if you pay attention to the exercise above, you will be able to notice that your hearing "opens up" when you become aware of your peripheral vision.

When you begin to experience this improved use of your eyes, you can try it in different situations- when you sign a check, you go for a walk, to the cinema or to a noisy restaurant. The effect can be amazing.

Over time, if you are active in sports, you will begin to notice that you can bring improved use of your eyes there too.

Many people come to associate the idea of concentrating or "trying to concentrate" with this narrowing of visual attention: on the sports field and when "trying to concentrate on the game", they drown out most visual signals - and in particular the peripheral visual field, which is part of the vision, seems to be the most related to the game.

The more they try, the more they limit their senses, and the worse their performance becomes. It's a frustrating situation to say the least.

However, when you become clearly aware of the feeling of this process and how it affects your life, it is quite easy to begin to reverse it little by little.

The rewards in improved vision, ease of movement and overall well-being are definitely worth it. published . If you have any questions about this topic, ask them to the experts and readers of our project